Angus Crichton fires again, Mannering's dream run continues and a new Fantasy star in the making emerges at the Dragons. Here are the success stories, flops and talking points to come out of this week's NRL Fantasy action.
Winners
Angus Crichton's incredible Fantasy season continued with 86 in a losing effort against the Sharks – it was his second best score of the season but the best of any player in Round 20. Fantasy's latest superstar edged out one of the modern greats, with Simon Mannering making 83 including a try and 54 tackles.
The biggest surprise came from a player in only three per cent of Fantasy squads, and in even fewer starting sides – Dragons debutant Matt Dufty smashing out 84 including a great runaway try after replacing the injured Josh Dugan. He may not get much more game time this season when Dugan returns but Dufty looms as a potential cut-price keeper in future seasons.
Meanwhile Jake Trbojevic pumped out 72 in Manly's high-scoring loss to the Dragons, Gareth Widdop put on a man-of-the-match performance for the Dragons with 72, Ryan James bounced back into form with a 70, Connor Watson enjoyed his first run at fullback for the Roosters in place of the injured Michael Gordon with 69 and Tyson Frizell scored 65 in the Dragons' rout.
Usual suspects Jack de Belin, James Tedesco, Issac Luke, Mitchell Pearce, Jason Taumalolo, James Roberts, Paul Gallen, Andrew McCullough, Nathan Brown, Paul Vaughan and Semi Radradra all produced strong scores, while Euan Aitken (63) and Billy Slater (51) both did the same before succumbing to injuries.
Losers
Injuries to big names was the theme of the round, and there's no bigger name in NRL Fantasy than Cameron Smith. He finished with 36 after leaving the field early with a pectoral injury, although word from the Storm is he's likely to only spend one or two weeks maximum on the sidelines.
Clint Gutherson (50) was the biggest casualty of the weekend, ruled out for the rest of the season after injuring his knee in Parramatta's narrow win over the Tigers. Sam Burgess (47) was another injury scare with a rib cartilage issue, although he's also a chance of returning as soon as this weekend.
Joey Leilua had another one of his notorious quiet games in Canberra's loss to Melbourne, finishing on 12, the same score as one-time century-maker and Sharks centre Kurt Capewell. Boom Storm youngster Curtis Scott didn't fare much better with just 16 after being a late inclusion in the Melbourne side, while Eels hooker Cameron King managed just 24 points from 64 minutes.
It was also a quiet week for Robbie Farah (22), Luke Yates (24), Tyrell Fuimaono (24) and Shaun Lane (25), while big guns Cameron McInnes (34), Martin Taupau (30) and Jordan Rapana (20) all produced underwhelming scores.
Fantasy team of the week
1. Matt Dufty (84)
2. James Tedesco (61)
3. Waqa Blake (60)
4. Euan Aitken (63)
5. Nick Cotric (54)
6. Gareth Widdop (72)
7. Aidan Sezer (80)
8. Jake Trbojevic (72)
9. Connor Watson (69)
10. Ryan James (70)
11. Angus Crichton (86)
12. Dale Finucane (68)
13. Simon Mannering (83)
Interchange
14. Tyson Frizell (65)
15. Ethan Lowe (64)
16. Jack de Belin (60)
17. James Roberts/Jason Taumalolo/Mitchell Pearce/Nathan Brown/Issac Luke/Nathan Brown/Semi Radradra/Paul Vaughan (59)
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